What exactly do remote jobs mean? The term has been thrown around quite a bit lately, and since it’s become somewhat of an industry buzzword, there’s likely some confusion about what remote jobs are and how they differ from the traditional office job that so many of us have been used to for decades. This article will help explain what remote jobs mean, as well as dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding this fairly new job market.
What Does Remote Jobs Mean
There are many misconceptions about what remote jobs mean. One study revealed that one-third of respondents think remote work is synonymous with working outside of an office while another third incorrectly believe that all employees of a remote company work from home.
While there is some truth to these statements, only 20 percent of workers who telecommute do so from home, and less than half spend 100 percent of their time on solo projects. Regardless, confusion over what it means to be a remote worker persists—and given that 68 percent of people believe they could do a job well even if it was done remotely (according to Jobvite’s 2017 Future Workforce Report), it’s worth understanding more about what these types of positions entail.
If you’re considering a career in which you can have flexible hours and don’t need to be in the same place as your coworkers every day, read on for what this type of work entails.
What is a Remote Job?
A remote job is one in which an employee doesn’t work from a traditional office. Many jobs that don’t require employees to be in an office are considered remote, but remote jobs typically are those done primarily by computer. As technology advances, more and more companies are opening up their jobs to people who can do them remotely.
What does remote mean? It means you may not have to travel into an office every day (or even at all). This could mean that instead of working in your hometown, you work wherever you choose—New York City or California, Paris or Amsterdam. And it also means that many individuals find themselves working from home on occasion rather than commuting into an office each day.
Pros Of Remotely Jobs
Here are some of my favorite pros of remotely Jobs: Freedom: One of my favorite parts about working from home is having more freedom. I can choose when I want to wake up, what time I eat breakfast, and even when I feel like a coffee break.
These aren’t things that many people enjoy at their 9-to-5 jobs. For example, I have never had the opportunity to take an hour’s lunch because the company doesn’t allow for it. But now I can work on other projects or sleep during the afternoon if I so choose.
Flexibility: If you need flexibility in your life, then remote work is a good option for you. Some jobs might require travel but others don’t, which means you’ll be able to go on vacation whenever you want (without worrying about whether or not your boss will approve).
Cons of Remote Jobs
There are a few cons of remote jobs. For example, when you’re working remotely, you can’t just walk into your boss’s office if there is a problem with your work or something that affects you personally.
What if your computer isn’t working right and you need help on how to fix it? Also, what happens if you need an emergency leave because of an illness in your family or because someone in your family has died? If these things happen while you are working remotely, will your company provide a solution for you? This can be difficult to find out before accepting a job offer for remote work.
How Do I Get Started With My First Experience Working From Home?
If you’re brand new to remote work, it might seem overwhelming. To get started, consider a few things. Are you someone who works better from home or in an office environment? Is there a team that you can join remotely? What online resources will help your career grow as a remote worker?
If you’re looking for your first remote job, take note of these important tips: Network: When interviewing for your first position as a remote worker, make sure you have done some pre-work and know what questions might come up during an interview. Use social media tools like LinkedIn and Twitter to network with people from your industry and people who know people in your industry.
The 5 Types of Jobs That Can Be Done Remotely
There are lots of options when it comes to work that can be done remotely, but they aren’t all created equal. Based on what they offer and how they treat employees, we’ve identified five types of jobs that can be done remotely: remote-friendly, virtual, home-based, telecommuting, and location independent.
What is a Virtual Job? Virtual jobs typically involve the use of technology (i.e., email, chat) and may or may not require working from an office or specific place during a workday.
What is a Home-Based Job? Home-based jobs often allow for more flexibility in scheduling, so you can set your hours for getting things done (no commuting). Some employers may provide some type of workspace as well.
What is Telecommuting? In this type of job, you might go into an office occasionally to meet with clients or attend meetings via video conferencing tools like Skype or Google Hangouts—sometimes with an accompanying office space provided by the employer—but most often you will be expected to do your job from your own space at home.
Tips for Finding a Good, Reliable Work-From-Home Job
Considering a work-from-home job as your next career move? Many jobs can be done remotely—you just have to find them. The internet is an amazing tool, but it’s also a great place for tricksters looking to take advantage of people.
Make sure you do your research when it comes to remote jobs and avoids being duped into putting up money before you even land a job. Below are some tips for finding good work-from-home jobs. -The company has been around long enough to prove they’re reputable
-Good reputation among current employees
-Clear policies on how much time the employer will invest in training their employees (both online and off)
-Honest description of what the job entails
Additional Resources
The FlexJobs Guide to Getting a Remote Job, from how-to advice and best practices on working remotely down to full resources and information on benefits. FlexJobs also has a ton of other great articles with in-depth job tips, salary reports, and so much more! Check out:
The Best Jobs of 2022, or learn How to Get a Freelance Job that Fits into Your Life. If you’re looking for additional freelancing opportunities, check out there: Top Companies Hiring for Freelancers by Skill.
Conclusion
In a highly connected and mobile world, more people are beginning to work remotely than ever before. But what do remote jobs mean? A lot of different things. Depending on how you define it, remote can include working from home or an alternate location outside of your company’s headquarters, working on an as-needed basis rather than a full-time or contract-to-contract basis, and even being self-employed from your own office/coffee shop/laptop.
It all depends on what you call work. While not all remote work is created equal, it still has one thing in common: flexibility for both employer and employee. Depending on what kind of career you’re looking for, remote jobs may be exactly what you need.